Fun Archives | Cool Mom Tech

Disney+ streaming service: Here’s how our first 24 hours went.

My husband already had the new Disney+ streaming service locked and loaded on our Roku TV yesterday morning. And even though there were a few glitches with it on mobile, we had no problems perusing the many offerings and watching a couple of shows. Let’s just...

The Seriously STEM Award winners: 4 of the best educational STEM toys of the year

by Liz Gumbinner | Tech Toys and Random Fun

I was so honored to return as a judge for the second annual Seriously STEM awards, honoring the best educational STEM toys. In collaboration with STEM.org, and with judges including educators, journalists, science museum directors, and independent STEM toy experts...

3 affordable Apple Watch alternatives for kids

by Kate Etue | Fashion + Accessories

My sixth-grader has been asking me to splurge on an Apple Watch for her lately, but I don’t see that in her future at the moment. The thing is: she doesn’t have a phone yet. So I see little value in spending that kind of money on a watch, when she...

Our review of the new Nintendo Switch Lite

by Kristen Chase | Tech Toys and Random Fun

Over the weekend, my family and I played with the Nintendo Switch Lite, which is Nintendo’s newest handheld gaming device. Considering how much we love the Nintendo Switch, we figured this would going to be a pretty popular holiday gift for lots of people. Plus,...

Instagram Stories trick: Turn your Live Photos into Boomerangs!

by Liz Gumbinner | Social Media, Tips and Tricks

I often like adding Boomerangs to an Instagram Story to help change things up from still photos. But then, I either have to go shoot a Boomerang in Instagram (and figure out what to shoot) or open the Boomerang app itself. Not one of life’s greatest problems,...

The stylish new Bandolier crossbody phone cases. Until women get some clothes with some damn pockets.

by Liz Gumbinner | Cell Phone Accessories, Fashion + Accessories

Those who know me, know I love my Bandolier. I keep upgrading mine every time I get a new iPhone, that’s how much I love it. Especially now that they offer a selection of Bandolier zip pouches that attach to the back, to help you carry more stuff with less...

3 great podcasts to help you learn a foreign language

by Kate Etue | Entertainment

We get all sorts of awesome questions in our Out Tech Your Kids Facebook Group. You are a member, right? Recently, a parent asked for foreign language podcast recommendations for kids. So, we dug around and found these 3 great podcasts to help you learn a foreign...

Easy tip for more mindful screen time: Download these lock screen wallpapers for your phone

by Liz Gumbinner | Cell Phones, Social Media

This weekend, inspired by the Cool Mom Picks book club video chat about How to Break Up with Your Phone, I decided to try one of author Catherine Price’s tips to help me be more mindful about my screen time, and more aware of how much I pick up my phone. She...

Keep your eyes safer with these blue light blocking screen protectors

by Kristen Chase | Fitness + Health

As someone who works on a smartphone and computer all day long, I’ve become very diligent about wearing my blue light blocking glasses. I even have a pair for my kids, but no surprise here, they rarely remember to wear them. And well, considering I leave mine at...

Dagne Dover makes tech organization easy and stylish.

by Kristen Chase | Fashion + Accessories

Ever since the Dagne Dover backpack converted me into a backpack person, I’ve kept my eye on them, hoping that they’d launch a tech collection. Well, apparently their ears were ringing because they’ve finally launched the Dagne Dover tech capsule...

Hi! We’re Kristen + Liz

Kristen Chase + Liz Gumbinner of Cool Mom Picks

We started Cool Mom Tech in 2010 to help make our increasingly digital lives easier, more organized, more meaningful, and more fun, however old your kids may be.

We love that it's grown to become the go-to source for millions of parents who want commonsense info about tech delivered with a smile.

We even have the privilege of sharing our tips + tricks with The TODAY Show, CNN, HLN, GMA, Nightline, newspapers and magazines around the country, and our favorite -- regular parents who stop us at PTA meetings and ask us how old kids need to be to get a smartphone, and whether they really need to panic about Snapchat.

(Answer: It's complicated.)

We're so glad you're here! And we hope we can help you too.